Shale shaker



V. E. PRUITT Aug. 19, 1958 SHALE SHAKER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5,- .1954- V83 fus E. Pruitt INVENTOR.

BY WWW 3m Aug. 19, 1958 v. E. PRUlTT 2,848,109

SHALE SHAKER Filed April 5, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IN on vm V QN\fl .1 98 E mm mm E W m M Y B v. E. PRUlTT 2,848,109

SHALE SHAKER s Sh eets-Sheet 5 Aug. 19, 1958 Filed April 5. 1954 Vesfus' E. Pruiff INVENTOR WW fi/mg low Q 69 I Q mm {INN Qv 1mm United States Patent C) M SHALE SHAKER Vestus E. Pruitt, Hobbs, N. Mex.

Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 421,066

3 Claims. (Cl. 209-434) This invention relates to a shale shaker and particularly to a vibrating shaker for separating drill cuttings from drill mud.

In well drilling operations, it is customary to provide so-called drilling mud to maintain the hole during the well drilling operations and to circulate this mud to remove the cuttings from the bit so that the bits will cut faster.

It is desirable to remove these drill cuttings from the mud so that the mud may be reused or recirculated to further operate in the well. Also, it is desirable to separate the drill cuttings and to take samples thereof so that the composition of the strata through which the drill is operating may be ascertained.

In the construction according to the invention, a container or frame has mounted therein a plurality of superposed screens with means for vibrating the screens and a flow board for controlling the flow of well mud across the screens together with means for selecting and retaining a portion of the cuttings removed from the well mud so that analysis may be made thereof if desired.

The entire screens have been arranged to be mounted on a vibrating basis with a resilient base under the lowermost screen and sliding connections between the succeeding superposed screens with a vibrator mounted on the uppermost screen.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved shale shaker.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved vibrator for a shale shaker.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved screens for shale shakers.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved means of mounting the screens in a shale shaker.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a shale shaker according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical elevation through the shale shaker taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the shale shaker;

Figure 4 is a cross-section through the top screen of the shale shaker taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 4'4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 55 of Figure 4 and showing the manner of mounting the screen elements;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of an intermediate screen showing the manner of mounting the screen and tightening the same;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an improved lock nut" according to the invention;

2,848,109 Patented Aug. 19, 1%8

Figure 8 is a cross-section through an intermediate screen taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 8-8 of Figure 2 and showing the manner of mounting and tightening the screen therein;

Figure 9 is an elevational view partially in section of a resilient mount for the lowermost screen of the superposed screens;

Figure 10 is a plan view of an eccentric disk for the vibrator;

Figure 11 is a cross-section through the eccentric disk taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 1111 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a similar view of Figure 11, but showing an impeller mounted between the disks; and

Figure 13 is an elevation partially in section of an intermediate support showing the manner of sliding the intermediate screens with respect to each other.

In the exemplary embodiment according to the invention, a base frame 10 is constructed of tubular members arranged in rectangular formation and having a sheet metal platfqrm 12 mounted thereon. Vertically disposed angle members 14 are mounted on two sides and one end of the frame 10 and extend in substantially parallel relation thereto. The sheet metal members 16 and 18 mounted on the side uprights 14 and a sheet metal end member 20 is mounted between the side members at one end thereof.

Preferably a reinforcing edge 22 is provided along the lateral sides 16 and 18. A mud control chamber 24 is mounted at the top of the end member 20 and is preferably constituted by a bottom member 26 supported at suitable braces 28 so that the bottom member 26 is in substantially level horizontal relation. A box-like container 30 is mounted on the bottom 26 and has an opening 32 in one side thereof. The bottom edge 34 of the opening 32 provides a flow control weir. A pivoted gate 36 is mounted in the aperture 32 and is controlled by a counterweight 38. A flow apron 40 is mounted below weir 34 so that mud flowing over weir 34 will slide downwardly over the apron 40. Mud is introduced into the chamber 30 by means of a suitable pipe 42 having a valve or damper 44 mounted therein.

A plurality of primary support standards 50 are mounted on the platform 12 by suitable flanged collars 52. Flanged spring retaining cups 54 mounted on the tops of the columns 50 and resilient members, such as springs 56, are mounted therein.

A plurality of superposed screens 60, 62 and 64 are mounted on the springs, although, obviously, any desired number of screens could be utilized. The screens 60 and 62 are provided with substantially tubular rectangular frame members, as will presently be described. The frame member 60 is provided with projections 58 which extend downwardly and are received in the springs 56 so that the frame 60 is resiliently mounted in the main frame.

The succeeding frames are likewise made of tubular side members, as will presently be described, and these members are slidably mounted with respect to each other by means of spacing standards 66 which are mounted on the frame below while the next adjacent upwardly extending frame is provided with a cup-like socket 68 having a relatively larger diameter than the column 66' and is rigidly secured to the frame by any suitable means, such as the rivet 70. The socket 68 is provided with a cup-like depression 72 to receive the upper end of the column 66 so that the socket may readily slide about the top of the column 66.

A vibrator for shaking the entire assembly of screens is constituted by a mounting platform 74 which is secured to the outer frame member of the'topmost screen, such as 64, and a motor, such as the electric motor 76, is rigidly mounted on the mounting platform 74. A drive shaft 78 extends outwardly from the motor 76 and is preferably supported at a distance therefrom by means of a hearing 80.

An eccentric weight is mounted on the shaft 78 and comprises a pair of disks 82 and 84. The disks 82 and 84 are preferably identical and comprise a central hub 86 and -88 with one edge of the disk being thicker than the other so that the disk is arranged in tapering formation from one side to the other. The disks 82 and 84 are provided with a plurality of apertures adjacent the periphery which are adapted to receive bolts 94 having special lock nuts 96 mounted thereon. The apertures 90 and 92 are preferably symmetrically arranged around the periphery of the disks 82 and 84 so that the disks 82 and 84 may be turned to any desired position and locked rigidly together by means of the bolts 94 and the lock nuts 96.

One or both of the disks 82 and 84 may be provided with tapped apertures 98 in which setscrews 100 may be placed. The setscrew 100 being utilized to lock the disks 82 and 84 in position on the shaft 78 so that the disks will rotate therewith. A plurality of apertures 98 may be placed in the disks 82 and 84- and any desired number of screws 100 may be utilized. It is to be pointed out that the screws 100 may be used to change the proportion of weight of the device and consequently the vibration of the screens.

As indicated in Figure 12, an impeller 104 may be placed between the disks 82 'and 84 so that a stream of cooling air may be directed over the motor 76.

The locking nut 96 is provided with a plurality of grooves 106 and transverse grooves 188 so that the locking face 110 of the nut 96 is provided with transverse grooves and ridges so that when the nut is screwed into position, the ridges will rigidly lock the nut into position so that it will not be removed by the vibration of the shaker.

The frame 64 of the uppermost screen of the device comprises a U-shaped member 112 of relatively large tubular material and having a relatively small tubular member 114 connected across the open end thereof and arranged so that the member 114 is connected adjacent the lower side of the U-shaped member 112. A rubber-like covering 116 is placed on the tubular member 114. The screen proper comprises a plurality of elongated arcuate members 118 which are preferably constructed by splitting sections of pipe lengthwise and these arcuate members are arranged in side-by-side relation with the concave side downwardly and one end of the elongated arcuate members 118 rests on the covering 116 of the cross-piece 114 while the other end is connected in any suitable manner to the bight of the U-shaped member 112. If desired, a plurality of cross-pieces 114 may be placed under the members 118.

The elongated arcuate members 118 are provided with a plurality of apertures 120 so that mud will be passed through the elongated members where the cuttings will extend onwardly and be shaken over the screen 64. Upstanding side board members are constituted by means of angle members 122 rigidly secured to the sides and the bight member of the U-shaped member 112 so that the mud and cuttings will not pass over the edge of the screen.

Of the successive screens 68, 62 and 64, the screens are in gradually decreasing length from the top downwardly so that the material shaken over the end of the screen 64 will fall clear of the end of the screen 62 and 60 and likewise, the material shaken from the end of the screen 62 will fall clear of the material shaken from the end of screen 60. A sample box 124 is hung on the end of the screen 64 by means of hooks 126. The sample box 124 is provided with a plurality of pockets opening to the various screens 60, 62 and 64 so that the material shaken over the end of the screens will be received in separate pockets so that the various material may be identified as from the screen from which it came.

The discharge apron 128 is provided under the ends of the screens 60-64 so that the cuttings discharged from the end of the screens 6064 will be discharged outwardly from the shale shaker and will not in any way be mixed with the mud which falls onto the platform 12 and which may be withdrawn through a door 170 to be recirculated in the well.

The screens are of increasing tightness from the top down so that finer and finer cuttings will be removed on the various screens.

The intermediate screens, such as 60 and 62, are constructed substantially identical except for the mesh of the cloth of the screen, and only one of these screens will now be described. These intermediate screens are pro vided with rectangular tubular frames which are provided with longitudinally extending slots 1 .2 which extend along the sides and ends thereof. Slot 142 being on the top edge of the frame member 140. A Wire mesh fabric 144 is provided with head edges 146 up the sides and ends thereof. Mesh cloth 144 extends through the slots 142 in the sides and ends of the frame 140 and mounting members constitute tubular pieces 148 which are provided with slots 150 therein. The slots 150 are sutliciently wide to pass the body of the cloth 144 but are unable to pass the bead 146 so that the mesh 144 will be stretched between the opposed side members 148 and the opposed end members. One side and one end member are to be fixed'and are preferably inserted through suitable apertures 152 so that the device may be slid over the bead 146 to retain the end of the bead within the mounting member 14o. One of the side members 154 constitutes an arbor and is extended through the end of the frame 140 and will have a ratchet wheel 156 mounted thereon for cooperation with the dog 158. Likewise, one of the end members 160 constitutes an arbor and extends through the side of the frame member 140 and will have a ratchet wheel 162 thereon for cooperation with a dog 164. The extending ends 166 and 168 of the members 154 and 160 respectively are preferably square so that a wrench may be mounted thereon to rotate the mounting members 154 and 160 so that the screen 144 may be stretched both laterally and longitudinally.

In the operation of the device according to the invention, the screens 60 and 62 will be stretched to the proper tautness and the well mud will be delivered through the pipe 42 into the chamber 30 and the door 36 will be opened so that the mud will flow over the weir 34 and down the apron 40 onto the uppermost screen. The motor 76 will be set in motion, and the disks 82 and 84 will cause a vibration of the entire structure with the uppermost screens being free for limited sliding motion with respect to each other while the lower screen will be arbitrarily mounted on the spring 56 so that the entire structure will rapidly vibrate under rotation of the motor 76. The mud will pass through the apertures 120 of the screen 64 while the coarser cuttings will pass over the end and into the sample catcher 124 or onto the apron 28 and be discharged. Mud will further pass through the screen 62 While the finer cuttings will pass into the sample collector or onto the apron 128 and likewise through screen 60 so that eventually, only substantially pure drilling mud will be received on the platform 12 and the cuttings will be discharged over the apron 128. Obviously, the period and amplitude of the vibration may be determined by the setting of the disks 82 and 84.

For purposes of exemplification, a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A shale shaker comprising a plurality of superposed screens, a resilient mounting supporting the lowermost screen, rigid spacing members supporting the successive screens, each successive screen having limited sliding motion with respect to the rigid spacing members, means operative to vibrate said screens, the uppermost screen being constituted by a plurality of elongated transversely arcuate members secured in rigid edge-to-edge relation, the convex sides of said arcuate members being up, the lower screens being constituted of metal fabric, an arbor, one side and one end of each of said fabric screens being mounted on said arbor, and means operable to stretch said fabric.

2. A shale shaker comprising a plurality of superposed screens, a resilient mounting supporting the lowermost screen, rigid spacing members supporting the successive screens, each successive screen having limited sliding motion with respect to the rigid spacing members, means operative to vibrate said screens, the uppermost screen being constituted by a plurality of elongated transversely arcuate members secured in rigid edge-to-edge relation, the convex sides of said arcuate members being up, the lower screens being constituted of metal fabric, an arbor, one side and one end of each of said fabric screens being mounted on said arbor, means operable to stretch said fabric, said vibrating means including a motor mount rigidly attached to said uppermost screen, a motor mounted on said motor mount, a motor shaft, and an eccentric weight mounted on said motor shaft.

3. The shale shaker of claim 1 wherein at least one of said screens rigid spacing members comprise a plurality of columns, a socket for each column and attached to said one of said screens, and one end of each column loosely fitted in its socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 292,338 Maynadier J an. 22, 1884 301,085 Brandon July 1, 1884 585,656 Dickerson July 6, 1897 1,083,471 Walton Ian. 6, 1914 1,153,804 McKinlay Sept. 14, 1915 1,616,917 Mueller Feb. 8, 1927 2,285,348 Morgan June 2, 1942 2,285,678 Overstrom June 9, 1942 2,321,675 Hauge June 15, 1943 2,528,620 Stroud Nov. 7, 1950 2,677,967 Galbraith May 11, 1954 2,750,043 Thompson June 12, 1956 

